This week’s guest: Oluwafisan B Bankale

I first met Fisan Bankale in the mid 90s at a serene conferencing facility in Ogere, Ogun state where a UN gender training for media practitioners was taking place. He was at the time Editor of the defunct Sketch Newspapers.  I found him warm, deep and introspective. Our paths have crossed several times since then. […]

I first met Fisan Bankale in the mid 90s at a serene conferencing facility in Ogere, Ogun state where a UN gender training for media practitioners was taking place. He was at the time Editor of the defunct Sketch Newspapers.  I found him warm, deep and introspective. Our paths have crossed several times since then. Fisan is my brother and a very special friend. In the face of failing social values, it’s heartwarming to find someone with whom you share high work ethics, old fashion moral views and can discuss how one can influence the youth and society. Fisan’s work and family life is exemplary. The books he has mentioned  here  give an insight into how deep and cerebral he is. Enjoy!

CURRENTLY READING

Power, Politics and Death by Segun Adeniyi

WHAT TIME OF DAY DO YOU READ?

I ‘steal’ any available opportunity to read because I do not really own my time as a result of pressures from work. I read more at night after work and during the weekend. I also read on my frequent travels. A book or some reading material is a reflex action once I have time to spare.

WHAT MAKES YOU BUY A BOOK IN A BOOKSHOP?

A number of things;  for example referral/recommendation, good marketing, the title of the book and the author, especially if it is someone on my radar politically, religiously, historically and so on. I like inspirational books, biographies, history books and then of course thematically technical books as in communication, politics, security, development.

LAST BOOK YOU BOUGHT

Segun Adeniyi’s Power, Politics and Death

WHAT BOOK DID YOU NEVER FINISH?

I cannot remember readily that I started and did not finish any book although I have a feeling that there may indeed be one of such.

CHILDHOOD BOOK YOU RETURN TO AGAIN AND AGAIN

Childhood books hmm! Actually it is a series in the name of James Hadley Chase. I did not only return to them, I bought a few for my kids because as a high school kid, I was enthralled by Mr. Chase’s capacity with the English language especially in suspense and power of description.  His prose was elegant, stylish and yet simple. As for example with one of his characters named Pock Tahole the Indian Seminole with whom he says nothing is impossible. Listen to this Pock Tahole philosophy is ‘if it is possible it will be done, if it is impossible it can be done’.

WHAT BOOK DO YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN?

Somehow I do not get this feeling at all even when I ‘salivate’ reading some books. I am content with repeatedly, in thought and word, saluting the rigour and the honesty reflected in the books when they are rigorous and honest which they often are. Rather than entertain such thought, once in a while I remind myself that I should write and share perspectives on life and living as well as in thematic areas in which I have some experience.

FIVE FAVOURITE BOOKS:

1) The Bible for a number of reasons. It is the one book that talks to the reader and establishes in the most authoritative language, a code of ethics for the good governance of self, family and community.  It is inspirational and transcendental book like no other. Well I am sure that books in other religions are the same way. I am not preaching here, but I am in my elements, motivated and inspired when I read the various authors especially Apostle Paul, who excites me the most with his dialectics.

2) The Elizabeth and Jerry Hicks trilogy is fantastic in its ability to make simple the path to a spiritually, physically and materially successful living. The trilogy comprises The Law of Attraction,  Ask and it is Given, Amazing Power of deliberate Intent. The books remind us that our world was set up based on fundamental laws. Those who are science-inclined would remember the Law of Gravity, they will also recall that the rule in physics is that like poles repel but the opposite is true in The Law of Attraction that says that like poles attract. According to the authors, one of two things that will happen in human life is what we fear the most or what we crave the most. It empowers one.

3) From Third World to the First. The remarkable life history and even more remarkable transformation story of Lee Kuan Yew and of his country Singapore makes instructive reading. I consider it so important that I have asked my children to read and constantly refer to it in my discussions with them. It is a story of discipline, rigour and determination of one man transferred to his people. Singapore became independent in 1965, wretched as many of its type, more wretched than Nigeria was in 1960, but over many years Singapore created the world’s best airline, best air and seaports and has ranked 4th on the global per capita real income rating.  One man was the motivator and that man is Lee Kuan Yew. One downside was his position on human rights, they were never always correct. If you ask me, active and intending politicians in Nigeria need guidance from books like this

4) Chief Bisi Onabanjo was a journalist, columnist, governor of Ogun state. The psycho-political animal in me drives me into history and his book, Aiyekooto serves the purpose of a link recalling for me, clearly, the politics of the days before and after Nigeria’s independence when I became an intelligent observer and later a participant observer in the politics of this country. It is instructive read especially for anyone who was not born or old enough to understand the political environment in Nigeria at the time.

5) Notwithstanding the fact that as an Ijebu man I ought to know a few things about money and its management, The Guide to Investing by Robert Kiyosaki taught me a few things in the world of business especially but not limited to investing. And also reminded me of a few basic principles of a successful life for instance in response to the question, ‘what advice would you give to the average investor’?, the response was ‘Don’t be average’.

TWO BONUS BOOKS:

No Easy Day by Mark Owen with Kevin Maurer is quite interesting. Lobsang Rampa was recommended reading by my late father and as a high school student, pre-teens, The Third Eye opened my mind to spiritualism from a different religion and culture.